HC Deb 16 July 1996 vol 281 cc486-7W
Mr. Livingstone

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reasons files with the classmarks WO 188/679, WO 188/702 and WO 188/707–708 recorded at the Public Record Office concerning the work of the Chemical Defence Establishment, Porton Down, are currently retained by his Department; and if he will open them. [37617]

Mr. Arbuthnot

In line with the open government initiative, arrangements are being made to review the papers listed at the Public Record Office under references WO 188/679, 702 and 707–708 to establish whether release into the public domain is now possible. I will write to the hon. Member on completion of the review process.